Renshaw, Agar called to Aussie Test squad

Oliver Caffrey and Justin Chadwick | December 30, 2022

Matthew Renshaw feels his growth as a person will leave him well placed to thrive during his third coming as a Test cricketer – and he has Usman Khawaja to thank for his recall.

Renshaw received his first call-up to an Australian red-ball squad since 2018 when the forgotten opener was named on Friday for the third Test against South Africa.

The 26-year-old is one of two additions to the 14-man squad for the New Year’s Test at the SCG, with spin-bowling allrounder Ashton Agar also back in favour after injuries to star quick Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green.

Renshaw last played a Test in March 2018 when he rushed to South Africa after Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were stood down following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

He had previously notched 10 Tests across 2016-17 before being dropped for Bancroft ahead of the 2017-18 Ashes as a result of poor Sheffield Shield form.

The left-hander failed to retain his Cricket Australia contract in 2019-20, and he hit a new low when he was dropped from Queensland’s Shield side in 2020.

Some technical improvements helped Renshaw regain his spot in the Bulls’ line-up.

But it was a mental shift that played an even bigger role in Renshaw’s rise back to Test ranks.

“A lot of it is mental,” Renshaw said of his improvement as a cricketer. 

“A lot of work away from Queensland cricket, away from the Brisbane Heat, away from Australian cricket, just doing some of my own stuff, which has really helped me.

“I just sort of grounded myself. As a 20-year-old, I still wasn’t sure who I was at that point. 

“I was trying to be someone else, trying to be what people wanted me to be. 

“So just making sure I be myself has seemed to have worked in the last few years.”

Good friend and Queensland teammate Khawaja has also played a key role in Renshaw’s resurgence.

“He’s someone I’m quite close to,” Renshaw said.

“I call him my life coach. He hasn’t accepted the role, but unfortunately for him it’s not a role that you can accept – it’s just given to you. 

“He knows me quite well, he knows when I’m up or down, and knows when I need to be checked in line as well.”

Unlikely to play against the Proteas in the SCG Test, starting on January 4, Renshaw’s inclusion could be a hint to what selectors have in mind for February’s tour of India.

Renshaw featured in all four Tests the last time Australia toured India back in 2017.

Agar is a more realistic option to play on an expected spin-friendly pitch at the SCG.

The left-arm spinner could slot in at No.7 and leave wicketkeeper Alex Carey, fresh off a maiden Test century, to be promoted up the order.

Experienced quick Josh Hazlewood will almost certainly end a three-Test absence and return to the XI after recovering from a side-strain injury suffered against the West Indies in Perth earlier this month.

West Australian speed machine Lance Morris, who has been dubbed the new “Wild Thing”, has retained his spot in the squad and could make his Test debut.

Despite both players finishing the Boxing Day Test, Starc and Green will now recuperate as they aim to get themselves right for India.

“Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past. He also brings a solid batting component,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, David Warner.